Shawnee Mission ACT scores are declining

14 Wednesday, December 14

Shawnee Mission ACT scores are declining

info2022-12-14T13:27:56-06:00December 14th, 2022|

Shawnee Mission’s ACT scores have been steadily declining over the last five years with the district’s average composite score down more than two points in that time. The district’s average ACT score of 21.3 remains above state and federal averages but essentially sits right at the cutoff of 21 used for admissions for Kansas Board of Regents schools, including KU and K-State. ... The class of 2022’s average composite ACT score in Shawnee Mission was 21.3, down from 23.8 for the Class of 2018, according to board documents. Why this could be happening: District administrators told the board there are several [...]

14 Wednesday, December 14

Wichita City Council considering new rules for renting following shooting

info2022-12-14T13:27:04-06:00December 14th, 2022|

After a shooting that killed one person and injured three others, the Wichita City Council is considering new rules for short-term rental properties. The goal of these changes is to hold the property owners accountable while making the neighborhoods safer. “Well, I definitely think they should, because there doesn't seem to be any teeth behind anything,” said a concerned Crown Heights resident. This man who didn't want to be identified lives near a short-term rental property on Battin Street. It's where a shooting in April of last year killed one man and injured three others. Source: KAKE - News

14 Wednesday, December 14

Fitch: Inflation to mount for U.S. water, sewer utilities in 2023

info2022-12-14T13:25:50-06:00December 14th, 2022|

Fitch Ratings says 2023 will bring a series of challenges that U.S. water and sewer utilities have not experienced in over a decade, according to Fitch Ratings’ 2023 outlook for the sector. Fitch Ratings’ 2023 sector outlook for U.S. water and sewer utilities is ‘Deteriorating’ and largely driven by rising inflation and a slowing U.S. economy, with Fitch economists calling for a mild recession around mid-2023. Next year will likely mark a second straight year of cost and capital pressures for water and sewer utilities, according to Senior Director and U.S. Water and Sewer Sector Head Audra Dickinson. “General inflationary pressures, [...]

14 Wednesday, December 14

Municipal Bond Trends for December 13, 2022

Henry Schmidt2022-12-14T09:37:18-06:00December 14th, 2022|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.

14 Wednesday, December 14

Saline County Livestock and Expo Center to raise rental prices due to inflation

info2022-12-14T07:58:01-06:00December 14th, 2022|

After a year of inflation on goods and overall rising costs, the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center will raise its prices next year. The Expo Center, which oversees several buildings available for event reservations, is led by director David Flaherty II. At the weekly county commission meeting Dec. 13, he explained the rise in rental fees is due to higher costs for things like maintenance and utilities. “At this time, in 2022, it’s due to rising utility costs and after some improvements have been made and comparing costs with other facilities,” Flaherty said. Source: Salina Journal

14 Wednesday, December 14

Lawrence City Commission will delay final approval of source of income protections to hear from landlords

info2022-12-14T07:47:45-06:00December 14th, 2022|

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday voted in favor of an ordinance change to create a protected class based on source of income, but will delay final approval in order to seek feedback from landlords. The ordinance will likely come back in front of the commission in mid-January. Lawrence’s Human Relations Commission recently advanced proposed ordinance changes that would prevent landlords from denying someone housing just because a prospective tenant’s rent money comes from housing assistance such as vouchers, settlements, benefits, subsidies, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and more. The advisory board had been working for about two years and researching similar [...]

14 Wednesday, December 14

Four fire departments receiving safety grants

info2022-12-14T07:51:23-06:00December 14th, 2022|

Several area volunteer fire departments are receiving state grants to improve the protection of personnel. The Office of the State Fire Marshal awarded 2023 grant money to Chase County Fire District No. 1, Eureka Volunteer Fire Department, Lyon County Fire District No. 5 and Olpe Fire District No. 1. They will share in $1.3 million in funds, provided largely through the American Rescue Plan Act. A statement from the Fire Marshal’s office does not specify how much each department will receive. The equipment includes “bunker or wildland gear (coat, pants, helmet, gloves, hood and boots) and new masks for Self-Contained Breathing [...]

13 Tuesday, December 13

The Fed has to portray itself as tough on inflation even as it pushes through a smaller rate hike

info2022-12-13T23:59:11-06:00December 13th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by a smaller half percentage point Wednesday yet signal that its battle with inflation is still far from over. The central bank is also slated to release new forecasts for interest rates and the economy when it winds down its two-day meeting Wednesday afternoon. Fed officials have indicated they would reduce the size of rate hikes, after four straight three-quarter percentage point hikes in a row. Fed officials may take some comfort in the latest data on inflation, but they likely won't show it. November's consumer price index, released Tuesday, showed signs [...]

13 Tuesday, December 13

Cleanup from Keystone oil spill in Washington County likely to take several weeks

info2022-12-13T23:58:05-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Nearly a week after a massive oil spill from the Keystone pipeline in rural Washington County, officials still don’t know what caused the failure, resulting in over 14,000 barrels of crude oil to flow into Mill Creek, near the Kansas-Nebraska border. Clean up activities continue, with the Environmental Protection Agency saying it had recovered nearly 2,600 barrels of liquid from the scene, most of it an oil-water mixture. Just 435 barrels of oil have been recovered directly from the ruptured pipeline. Source: 1350 KMAN

13 Tuesday, December 13

Pottawatomie County bridge among 33 selected for state program targeting $40 million in upgrades

info2022-12-13T23:55:46-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Gov. Laura Kelly was in Westmoreland Tuesday to announce more than $40 million will support 33 local and off-system bridge projects across the state in fiscal year 2024, including one in rural Pottawatomie County. Joined by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz and Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Pat Weixelman, Gov. Kelly highlighted the local project along Armstrong Road over Vermillion Creek, just northeast of Havensville. It’s one of just two in the area that crosses the creek. Source: 1350 KMAN